3 football fixtures you cannot miss this weekend

In this week’s fixtures worth watching, El-Clasico takes centre stage. But there are some other classic games which are taking place this weekend:

FC Schalke v Borussia Dortmund (KO: Saturday, 14:30 UK time)

Schalke vs Dortmund – 5th vs 2nd in the league

It’s fifth versus second here. Dortmund will be high on confidence after grabbing a huge win at Emirates Stadium over an Arsenal side that is in very fine form. Schalke, meanwhile, have to dust themselves down after losing at home to Chelsea.

Dortmund’s attack, which is the best in the Bundesliga with 22 goals, will relish coming up against a Schalke defence that has chucked 19 goals already in a season that is only nine games in.

Their defence is the third-worst so far. That said, manager Jens Keller will no doubt be urging his players to tighten up at the back.

Barcelona v Real Madrid (KO: Saturday, 17:00 UK time)

Lionel Messi and other stars would be clashing in the El Clasico

It’s the big one. This match will boast the world’s best talent, with Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale all set to feature.

The visitors are actually undefeated in five matches against Barcelona, but with both Tata Martino and Carlo Ancelotti struggling to get the best out of their sides to date, despite just one match being lost between them so far this season, there’s no guessing how this match will end.

What is guaranteed, however, is entertainment.

Chelsea v Manchester City (KO: Sunday, 16:00 UK time)

Chelsea vs Manchester City – best defence vs best attack?

This match is a showdown between the team with the league’s second-best defence (five goals conceded) and the league’s best attack (20 goals scored).

Both sides will be high on confidence following their Champions League wins in midweek. Jose Mourinho will also take heart from the fact that the Blues have won 11 of their last 12 home matches in the league. But City have won six of their last seven matches against Chelsea in all competitions.

This fixture ended 0-0 last season, but given the attacking quality of both sides, that’s highly unlikely.